By Lynze Wardle

MILLVILLE -- There are two kinds of people in Millville: those who see "project" cars as diamonds in the rough, and those who just see them as eyesores.

After two months of debate, a potential solution to the problem of unsightly yard decor was discussed in Thursday's City Council meeting. A change to the current ordinance would allow owners of undrivable vehicles to keep them in their yards, as long as they are covered by a tarp or otherwise shielded from view.

"If they have a restoration project, or if they think there's some value in a piece of rust, they can still keep it and be within our ordinance," Councilman Brian Jensen said.

On Jan. 15, Millville residents were invited to give their input to the council on this matter. Several residents said that to force them to remove project cars from their property would be to deprive them of a long-time hobby, and change the rural character of Millville.

"It is something that is a lifestyle for them," Jensen said in the January meeting. "I think it is something that is being yanked away fast enough as it is without the city helping."

The council debated whether to search out residents currently in violation of the law, or to only apply the ordinance to a property after they receive complaints about it.

"If you have an ordinance and you don't [actively] enforce it, people are going to complain," Councilman Guy Curtis said.

Because of time and budget restraints, however, council members decided that they will probably ask residents to cover their projects only if they receive complaints.

"I don't think there is anyone in this room who hasn't had something on their property [that would violate the ordinance]," Mayor Mike Johnson said. "If you want to address everything, you're going to have a full time job."

Also up for debate was whether or not this ordinance should apply to farm equipment.

"How can you allow a farmer to keep all his stuff, and not somebody else? We're all residents of Millville, and we're all paying taxes," Councilman Rod Hobbs said.

The council will finalize the revisions and vote on the ordinance during the next city council meeting, scheduled for March 4.

The council also reviewed city water usage for the year, scheduled a council retreat, and discussed plans for Millville Fun Days. After the success of last year's celebration, council members said they would like to provide Millville businesses a chance to showcase their wares and possibly expand the annual parade to attract people from around Cache Valley.

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